Does anyone know what a non nutritive sweetner is? I had dh pick up some of that Quaker weight control oatmeal. I told him not to bring it home if it had spenda or any other artificial sweetner in it. Anyways, it isn't in the ingredient list but at the bottom in tiny print it says that it is sweetened with a non nutritive sweetner. Can any one clarify this for me?

Non-nutritive sweeteners are any sweeteners that have no nutritional value or calories. Unfortunately the one in that product is likey an artificial sweetener

(Hey, I am a DONA Doula too!)

You can make your own healthy oatmeal that has similar nutritional value by cooking the oatmeal in soy milk and adding oat or wheat bran fiber, ground flax and hemp/rice/soy protein powder. That's what I do, and throw in a bit of chopped dried fruit, frozen or fresh and a few raw nuts or seeds.

If you drink cow's milk, you could use that instead and use whey or another animal product instead of the vegan products.

Small world, eh? Good to see another birth nut here. Maybe we should start a support group for overweight birth professionals. I remember reading on a doula list I am on another doula's observation that there seems to be an inordinate amount of doulas who are overweight. I am guilty. I am really wanting to get healthy again..for my family, myself, and to be a good example for my clients. Besides, I have high hopes of not birthing an 11 pound baby again. I have whole oats but I was hoping for something quicker in the mornings...I guess that quicker = not healthy a lot of times.

Thanks for replying tho. Good luck with your weight loss. 2006 is the year!

BTW the Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal contains Splenda (shown as "sucralose" on the ingredients listing).

I think Quaker "Weight Control" oatmeal is a tad misleading. If you look at the ingredients, there's nothing there that makes it any better or worse for weight control than any other oatmeal product. It does contain about 2 or 3 grams more fiber and protein, but that's a just drop in the bucket. It's not a BAD product, of course because oatmeal is good for you I just think it's prompted higher sales based on misleading information.

I TOTALLY agree! I looked at it in the store after seeing it on The Biggest Loser and it is yet one more marketing ploy designed to suck people in thinking it is better than regular old oatmeal (which I can get in bulk for 69 cents a pound, thank you very much). If I want it sweetened with Splenda, I'll put my own on without paying what? another $3 for a bunch of little packeted grain.

This is just like all those products marked as "Low Carb!" "Low Fat!" "Reduced Calorie" like there are three different versions of the product (and I am seriously talking about the same brand of whatever here). Yet, when you look at the label, ALL THREE are exactly the same thing. Just because we're fat doesn't mean we lost the ability to read or think. Goodness.

Well, to give Quaker the benefit of the doubt here...compared to most of the *other* "girly oatmeal packets" it's got a lot less of the bad stuff - sugar, sodium etc - and I personally know several co-workers who keep oatmeal packets on hand in their desks since they don't take up a lot of room, and only take a few seconds to prepare just using hot water from the coffeemaker...

might be a good alternative for kids as well - you know, the kids who are used to having the Dinosaur Eggs instant oatmeal (BLECCCH!!!). I actually tried the Banana Bread WC Oatmeal and it wasn't bad...a bit on the 'salty' side for me, but then again I don't add salt to my 'regular' oatmeal normally. For folks who are accustomed to having, say, Cap'n Crunch or the regular sugary oatmeal packets, this would definitely be an improvement and might be an easier way to move into the REAL stuff, eventually...who knows

Also, they're portion controlled, which can be a bonus...but I agree with the marketing bit - I AM glad to see all those "low carb" products apparently taking a hiatus, judging from the shelves at the grocery stores I frequent! (although I'm betting they'll be back again in what, 10 years or so...)

Thanks for clarifying.

You can good a large batch of oatmeal ahead and keep it in the fridge. In the morning just add a little water to thin it and microwave it. Takes no more time than making instant. Then add whatever else you like. My very favorite is dried cranberries and walnuts and a little skim milk.

It takes me exactly 2 minutes to make whole oats.
1 cup water, 1/2 c. dry old fashioned oats, sprinkle of cinnamon.
Microwave it in a LARGE bowl. I add 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and some berries or apples to it after it's cooked.

Mel

Mel, that's exactly how I usually make it at work; at home I have an older microwave and it takes 3 minutes.